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Planetarium shows slated in August at RVCC look to the sky

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg is shining bright in August, with special shows for children, a laser concert featuring songs by female artists, and programs that explain the mysteries of space. The following shows will be offered:

Planetarium shows slated in August at RVCC look to the sky

The red planet will appear bigger and brighter as it makes its closest approach to Earth since 2003.
USA TODAY

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg is shining bright in August, with special shows for children, a laser concert featuring songs by female artists, and programs that explain the mysteries of space.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium)

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg is shining bright in August, with special shows for children, a laser concert featuring songs by female artists, and programs that explain the mysteries of space.

The following shows will be offered at the planetarium on the Lamington Road campus of RVCC:

Explore shapes in space and ponder whether the moon and its orbit are round like a ball or flat like a pancake. And meet Tycho, a dog who doesn’t just howl at the moon, but wants to go there. (Recommended for ages 5 to 8)

Enjoy story time in the planetarium as youngsters and their families learn about the stars and planets. There’s no extra charge for stuffed animal friends. Those attending the August 3 show are encouraged to wear their pajamas. (Recommended for ages 4 to 8.)

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg is shining bright in August, with special shows for children, a laser concert featuring songs by female artists, and programs that explain the mysteries of space.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium)

The youngest audience members can sing along with songs by mr. RAY (“Family Ride,” “Kalien the Alien”) and Jane Murphy (“Moon Rock Rock,” “The Planet Song”). Some songs are illustrated with lasers, while other songs feature video images. (Recommended for ages 3 to 8.)

Join Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the sun, moon, planets, space travel, and more. Who can help them answer the questions left for them by the mysterious "M"? The show is based on the same-titled, best-selling series of novels. (Recommended for ages 5 and older.)

The Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium in Branchburg is shining bright in August, with special shows for children, a laser concert featuring songs by female artists, and programs that explain the mysteries of space.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium)

Laser Pop Rock: Thursdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 3:30 p.m.

Lasers dance across the dome while music is played. Songs include "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens, "Campfire Song Song" by Spongebob Squarepants, and "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. (Recommended for ages 6 to 12.)

Earth, Moon, Sun, and Coyote: Thursdays, August 9 and 23, 4:30 p.m.

Coyote has a razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he sees in the sky. Join this amusing character (adapted from Native American oral traditions) in a fast-paced full-dome show that tells Native American stories, explores eclipses and other puzzles, and examine how humans learn through space exploration. (Recommended ages 8 to 12).

Astronomy Tonight: Friday, August 3, 8 p.m.

Using the planetarium’s DigitalSky digital theater, experience a guided tour of the night sky. Learn about some of the popular constellations visible from sunset to sunrise, as well as the stories behind them. Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open after the show. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult.)

Laser Ladies: Fridays, August 3 and 10, 9 p.m.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” is this show’s theme, with music featuring major female artists like Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, and Rhianna. (Recommended for ages 10 and older.)

Astronaut: Friday, August 10, 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 25, 4 p.m.

What does it take to become an astronaut? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of “Chad,” a test astronaut. Then explore the worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. The presentation is made possible with a grant from FirstEnergy Foundation. (Recommended for ages 10 and older.)

The Little Star that Could: Friday, August 17, noon

Travel with an average yellow star on his quest to get a “name” and a planet to call his own. A “cool” red star, a “hot” blue star, a dying star, double stars and the Milky Way Galaxy teach Little Star some important things about being a star. The show offers an introduction to the different kinds of stars in space, as well as the planets in our solar system. (Recommended for ages 6-12)

Attack of the Space Pirates: Friday, August 17, 7 p.m.

The starship Intrepid races across the galaxy in a desperate bid to prevent space pirates from locating a powerful alien technology that threatens the fate of the galaxy. Can Intrepid's crew solve the science clues leading to exotic places on foreign planets, defend against the space pirate fleet, and rescue the device before the pirates obtain it? (Recommended for ages 10 and older.)

Dark Matter Mystery: Fridays, August 17 and 24, 8 p.m.

What keeps galaxies together? What are the building blocks of the universe? We know that the universe is filled with a mysterious glue — Dark Matter — but scientists have no idea what it contains. Join the scientists on their hunt for Dark Matter with experiments in space and deep underground. (Recommended for ages 10 and older.)

Best of Pink Floyd laser concert: Fridays, August 17 and 24, 9 p.m.

Lasers dance across the dome while participants listen to Pink Floyd songs including “Comfortably Numb,” “Another Brick in the Wall, part 2,” and “Money.” (Recommended for ages 10 and older.)

Planetarium tickets cost $10 for one show, $16 for two shows on the same day. For reservations and information, call 908-231-8805. Visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.